AGENT No. 16.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 39, 15 February 1930, Page 2 (Supplement)

AGENT No. 16.

(Winning entry by H. S. Heatley, 12, Grey Street West, Onehunga. Age 10.) To the north-west of Trevariion Cove ftnd some five hundred yards distant, stands a dilapidated fisherman's hut. Approached by a tortuous and rugged rock path, it is practically inaccessible from the by-road and marks a scene of desolation on the coast. It is 'in a state of disrepair and had been unoccupied until some three months before hostilities with Germany, when it had been rented by : a geologist, by name Mr. David Martyne. The very nature of .the surrounding country and extensive view of the phannel, made it comparatively easy for a geologist in pursuit of his hobby, and he was frequently seen to be examining chips of rock and toying with the inevitable hammer. However, he was genuine in his selfimposed task and, although he was hardly known, any coastguard could stop and exchange cordial greetings, or chat about the political situation and the approaching crisis. And then came the crisis. Although Britain was in a turmoil for a while, there was nothing to prevent geologists from pursuing their occupation, and peace reigned along the Trevanion coast. The 4th and sth Light Cruiser squadrons had sailed under sealed orders and they passed down'the Channel in formation. Abreast of the Codon Light, they altered course to south-east, and steamed at 25 knots towards the open Atlantic; An unusually keen signalman oh the bridge of the rear cruiser, noticing glints on the bleak and comparatively deserted coastline, approached the officer of the watch,, with the result that a wireless message was dispatched to the admiral commanding, ' at Portsmouth. Peering from his vantage point and focussing his telescope to bear more accurately, lay a man, who, thinking that he was free from observation, moved himself into a more comfortable posture. After the combined squadrons had merged their outlines with the misty, horizon, the man rose, and replacing his telescope in' his satchel, dusted his clothes, and departed to the nearest post office, where he sent a telegram, fondly inquiring after his brother's health. The admiral at Portsmouth, in consultation with two of his colleagues, received | the wireless and a certain urgent telegram, that had coincided in arrival, with surprise, for the lieutenant had been forceful in stating the most urgant need for investigation, and, incidentally, the telegram was to the same purpose, ; The next afternoon a flotilla of destroyers left port, ostensibly for patrolling, but more" to act as a decoy for any suspecting watcher. The next move was to search "D" section—the Trevanion coast—and this task was allotted to a party of Dluejackets; led by the admiral's own flag-lieutenant. ; „ i It was growing dusk when ..they chanced across the . old fisherman's hut to the north-west of Trevanion Cove. The officer; on hearing the sound of muffled yoice.s proceeding from the direction of' the hut; cautiously ap-. proached until lie had a view of ; the interior, -per medium of a convenient What he saw completely startled him. : There were two men in the hut, but what amazed him.-.,more than anything else was that one of the men, opposite to the other, and chatting quite amicably in a foreign, language, held a, revolver in his 'hand,. underneath the table and out of sight of hie companion. The lieutenant retreated to his. men and explained his'plan . of action. . His chief petty" olScer and five men proceeded with him to the door whilst

the remainder took up positions which guaranteed of no escape for anyone. A burly bluejacket burst the unsecured door open, and the officer, his service Webley straightened in l front of him, stepped quickly in. An exclamation of surprise came from the men, both of whom had raised their hands, in one of which the revolver still rested dangerously. A command and this was dropped with a clatter on the stone floor and the man spoke. "Lieutenant, take this man in charge. He is a spy." , "And who the devil," asked the astonished flag-lieutenant, "may you "Just put your hand in my pocket and see." The officer did so and after a close scrutiny of the papers found therein, said, "I'm sorry, old man." w His attentions for the moment being occupied, he failed to notice the swift movement of the spy, who had reached for his pocket and drawn a wicked-look-ing automatic. The C.P.0., seeing his superior's predicament and realising the danger, stepped between them and into the line of fire. The automatic, a heavy type of Berslinger, spat flame and the gallant petty officer took the bullet in his chest. The. other man, who by now had regained possession of his pistol, swung round with the butt and the spy fell with an opened skull. The flag-lieutenant, in his report, stated that Agent No. 16 had rendered invaluable assistance in the capturing of the German. It was not the lieutenant's fault that an' open door was between the admiral and himself when'the former remarked, "Martyne has another one to his credit."